Three hundred Tibetans begin march to China-India border

Map of the route from Siliguri in West Bengal to the Nathu-La pass. Graphic: RFA
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About 300 Tibetans from the northeast region of India set out on March 20 on a symbolic march from Siliguri in West Bengal to the Nathu-La pass on the Indian border with China.

The march, which was organized by the Tibetan Youth Congress and other groups, is intended to demonstrate solidarity with Tibetans protesting Chinese rule inside Tibet.

The marchers plan to cover some 170 kilometers in eight days before reaching Nathu-La. Sealed by India after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the border post at Nathu-La was re-opened in 2006 following bilateral trade agreements between China and India.